Category Archives: Drinks

Strawberry season hits in the valley below us about two months before our own berries begin to ripen. Strawberries cause the two little guys in this house to go into orbit. Alastair got the attention of all the shoppers at a local fruit stand when he squealed “stwawbawwies!” Then he announced to anyone who would…

Do you need a quick pick-me-up that is caffeine free? Peppermint is your answer. The brisk fresh flavor is unparalleled as a scene changer, which could explain the enduring popularity of peppermint candies. Whether you brew your tea from fresh mint or dried mint, the process is quick. This is a brew (about 10 minutes)…

There may be no better reason to stash persimmons during fall persimmon season than this recipe. We freeze the persimmons whole (though you could freeze puree) and simply pop them in the blender with the other ingredients. If you are new to persimmons, you should know that if the persimmon is not dead-ripe, it will…

Caraway seed is an ancient remedy for digestive problems, bronchitis, and even colic. Warm tea itself tends to help digestion, but the properties of the caraway seed bring added benefit. The best way to experience the benefit is through tea which is simple to make at home if you have caraway seeds on hand. Caraway…

Gourmet coffee houses separate many of us from quite a few dollars around the holidays on drinks like this pumpkin spice latte. Save a few bucks and use quality ingredients at the same time to splurge at home. This recipe requires actual pumpkin puree, though you will get a richer flavor out of butternut squash…

For a holiday beverage good hot or cold, with dairy milk or coconut milk, with bourbon or without, this drink combines cranberry with holiday spices for a memorable drink. We used dried cranberries which we soaked overnight in bourbon. Water would do but it certainly would not provide the richness of bourbon. For a stronger…

Increasingly, people are using lavender in creative ways to promote relaxation. As I describe in the article on lavender oil uses, it is popular to use in nebulizers, sprays, salts, and scrubs to calm the body and promote sleep. Creative cooks are using it increasingly in cooking as well. Tea is a simple start to…

On our first snow as we shivered getting used to the suddenly-freezing temperatures, this warm drink was fun to make and a huge hit with all ages. I used fresh pumpkin puree. You could use puree of any winter squash. Of course, you could also use canned pumpkin puree. Substitute a strong cocoa drink for…

As a coffee substitute or simply because you want a healthier chocolate drink where you control the ingredients, try a “cacao bean brew” — brewed up just like you would brew coffee. Cacao is a chocolate bean — it is the unprocessed form of the bean that is used to make cocoa. You can use…

With our focus on building our immune systems this flu season, elderberry is an important tool. It can help prevent getting the flu or perhaps can help reduce our symptoms. In our own area we can actually harvest wild elderberries and make syrup that we freeze for the winter. It is that syrup we use…

This vegetable slushie is extremely refreshing and satisfying. On a hot summer night this drink can definitely be “dinner.” With tequila, it may be dessert as well… We use cucumber, celery, garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, and purslane. The exact ingredients are totally flexible, as is the case with any vegetable drink. I do recommend the cucumber…

As we melt in triple digit heat with no air conditioning in our 100-year-old house, we seek out any remedy to melting completely. This nopales slushie has been one of my best strategies. The drink combines nopales (cactus) and any summertime fruit that is available. Peach and orange are my current favorites. Nopales is a…

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The Traditional Foods site comes to you from the Sequoia National Forest in a house designed by Irving Gill. We are a mother-daughter team strong in both the science and the art of cooking. We chronicle our cooking here and our adventures in the forest at Gill on the Hill. Read more about our background and food philosophy.